Deacon Tim Mortag teaches Psalms 137-138: What to Do When Your Heart Feels Completely Empty on 8/19/2026 for our Wednesday Service.
When grief or hard times leave you feeling broken, discovering how God fills the emptiness of your heart brings true mental peace. Learn how resting in His faithful promises gives you the spiritual strength to overcome deep sorrow and find lasting purpose.
SERMON OVERVIEW
In this Bible study of Psalms 137 and 138, the teacher explores the powerful contrast between the raw grief of Babylonian captivity and the joyful confidence of David's praise. While Psalm 137 captures the deep pain of exile, loss, and emotional distress, Psalm 138 reveals how God answers our cries, magnifies His Word, and fills every empty space with His lovingkindness. The overarching spiritual transformation occurs when you move from weeping over past losses to trusting that God will perfect and complete everything that concerns your life. By anchoring your hope in Scripture, you gain the practical takeaway of praising Jesus even in foreign, difficult seasons.
CHAPTER BREAKDOWN
00:00 Psalm 137:1-9: Sorrow by the Rivers of Babylon
The Jewish exiles sat weeping by the rivers of Babylon, hanging up their harps because they could not sing the Lord's song in a foreign land. Protect your mental peace during seasons of loss by bringing your rawest emotions and grief directly to God in honest prayer.
36:47 Psalm 138:1-3: Praising God with a Whole Heart
David resolves to praise the Lord with his entire heart, declaring that God has magnified His word above His name and answered his cry with spiritual strength. Build unwavering faith by trusting that God's written promises are completely reliable and will sustain you through every trial.
48:58 Psalm 138:4-6: The Lord Regards the Lowly
Although God is exalted high above the heavens, He pays special attention to the humble while keeping His distance from the proud. Experience true spiritual growth by humbling yourself before Jesus, knowing His grace and favor belong to those who acknowledge their need for Him.
55:16 Psalm 138:7-8: God Will Perfect What Concerns You
David expresses full confidence that God will revive him in the midst of trouble and complete the good work He began in his life. Discover your true purpose by resting in the covenant of grace, assured that Jesus will never abandon the work of His hands.
CONCLUSION
Challenge yourself this week to take your deepest pain or emptiness to the Lord in prayer, trusting Him to fill your heart with His peace. What promise from Scripture can you stand on today as you wait for God to complete His work in your life? Leave a comment below sharing your thoughts or prayer requests so we can pray with you.
ANCHOR SCRIPTURES
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:2-3
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